BCPO eyes renaming HQ to honor land donor

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY – The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) is considering renaming its headquarters as a tribute to Dr. Antonio A. Lizares, philanthropist and former Negros Occidental governor, who donated the land where the facility stands.

Police Col. Dennis Esguerra, acting deputy regional director for administration of the Police Regional Office–Negros Island Region (PRO-NIR), and Police Col. Joeresty Coronica, BCPO director, held a coordination meeting last Monday at the BCPO headquarters to discuss and finalize the proposal.

Coronica presented supporting materials, including BCPO’s history, the original deed of donation, Lizares’ biography, and the consent of the Lizares family.

Dr. Lizares donated the 2.5-hectare property along Magsaysay Road in Barangay Singcang-Airport and had it constructed in 1978, then valued at PHP 2 million.

Originally known as the Bacolod Metropolitan Police District (BMPD), it was renamed BCPO in 1994 following Bacolod’s classification as a highly urbanized city.

However, it still lacks an official camp name, according to Police Lt. Meller Dionio, BCPO spokesperson.

Dionio said Coronica submitted a proposal to PRO-NIR to formally name the compound “Camp Dr. Antonio A. Lizares.”

The proposal seeks to honor Dr. Lizares for his extensive contributions to public service and education, including serving as councilor and mayor of Talisay City in Negros Occidental and co-founding the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos (UNO-R) in Bacolod.

Police Lt. Col. Joem Malong, PRO-NIR spokesperson, said that after the deliberation, PRO-NIR will recommend the proposal to the national headquarters for approval.

The move underscores the police force’s effort to acknowledge individuals who have significantly impacted the community and public safety.